In the chronicles of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, July 8, 2005 remains a crucial date: The withdrawal of support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) by a group representing the leadership of the party marks the beginning of the end of the unity of the second oldest political party in the land.

Ever since that day, the circumstances surrounding the internal decision making process regarding that dramatic policy shift away from the president remain one of the most contentious issues in the now divided liberal family.

On more than one occasion, I have argued that the split in Philippine organized liberalism is a function of the overriding political schism in Philippine society. On the one side you find the supporters of GMA, on the other side her foes. Consequently, as long as this political polarization continues, it is not likely that unity will return to the grand old party.

Against this background of extreme polarization, I noted with interest a recent article of a leading ideologue and strategist in the camp supporting outgoing Senate President Drilon at the helm of the party. The commentary by Mario Taguiwalo appears in a four-page pamphlet and is entitled “Liberal Party on the Road not yet taken“. As this interesting political document is not available online, I am quoting what I find the most original part:

“Despite the fact that our shared position on GMA’s unfitness to remain president may have initially defined us (in contrast to other liberals who have a different opinion on this issue), being simply anti-GMA is not a fruitful, wise or sustainable direction for our political party. Being anti-GMA is not even the universe of liberal aspirations for our country. And worst of all, being anti-GMA is not the most productive way of applying liberal principles in serving our people at this time… Just as overwhelmingly being pro-GMA can warp one’s liberalism, being obsessively anti-GMA can pervert our liberalism.”

I read this comment several times to believe my eyes:

Are these the isolated and personal musings of a well-respected liberal professor? Or is the commentary published in the official publication of the Liberal Party a first indication of a strategic shift away from the polarization a la Black and White to a more inclusive approach?

Endnote for those interested in first-hand information on developments in Philippine organized liberalism: While Senate President Drilon’s group continues to run the website set up some three years ago, the faction headed by Mayor Atienza has opted for a cheap but journalistically innovative alternative. They run a blog, where they publish press releases and other materials.

Technorati Tags: Philippines, Liberal Party, Division, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo